US10049246B2

Mini-barcode reading module with flash memory management

Summary by NHIP

Flash Memory Barcode Manager

The method manages memory in an electronic barcode scanning device by swapping decoding algorithms between flash and static memory. Firmware unloads incorrect algorithms and loads correct ones, supporting PDF417, UPC/EAN, and C128 formats while the static memory holds three to six images.

Claim Score by NHIP

Read claim 1, the broadest

Abstract

A miniature barcode reading module for an electronic device minimizes the size of the memory of the processor die allowing the module to be used in small form factor electronic devices. The module may include an image sensor package operative to scan a barcode and a processor die coupled to the image sensor package. The processor die may include a processor, a memory, a flash memory, a plurality of barcode scanning algorithms loaded into the flash memory, and an image capture port operatively connected to the image sensor package. Barcode scanning firmware can determine if a barcode decoding algorithm is loaded in the memory, determine if the loaded barcode decoding algorithm is a correct barcode decoding algorithm or an incorrect barcode decoding algorithm, unload an incorrect barcode decoding algorithm from the memory, and load a correct barcode decoding algorithm into the memory.

US10049246B2, drawing sheet 1
Sheet 1 of 4

Term

9.2 yearsleft in the term

Expires 16 December 2035.

  1. Priority
  2. Filed
  3. Granted
  4. Today
  5. Expires

20 claims: 2 independent, 18 dependent

  1. 1
    Broadest claimClaim Score 50, average(NHIP)A method of managing memory in an electronic barcode scanning device, the electronic barcode scanning device having an image sensor package operative to scan a barcode and a processor die operatively coupled to the image sensor package, the method comprising:determining, via barcode scanning firmware, if a barcode decoding algorithm is loaded in a static memory disposed on the processor die;if a barcode decoding algorithm is loaded in the static memory, determining if the loaded barcode decoding algorithm is a correct barcode decoding algorithm or an incorrect barcode decoding algorithm using the firmware;unloading an incorrect barcode decoding algorithm from the static memory if an incorrect barcode decoding algorithm is loaded in the static memory using the firmware;and loading, via the firmware, a correct barcode decoding algorithm from a flash memory disposed on the processor die into the static memory, the flash memory having a plurality of barcode scanning algorithms.
  2. 8
    A miniature barcode reading module for an electronic device, comprising:an image sensor package operative to scan a barcode;and a processor die operatively coupled to the image sensor package, the processor die physically integrating a processor, a static memory including barcode scanning firmware, a flash memory having a plurality of barcode scanning algorithms loaded into the flash memory, and an image capture port disposed on the processor die;wherein the barcode scanning firmware is operative to: determine if a barcode decoding algorithm is loaded in the static memory disposed on the processor die;if a barcode decoding algorithm is loaded in the static memory, determine if the loaded barcode decoding algorithm is a correct barcode decoding algorithm or an incorrect barcode decoding algorithm;unload an incorrect barcode decoding algorithm from the static memory if the loaded barcode decoding algorithm is determined to be an incorrect barcode decoding algorithm;and load a correct barcode decoding algorithm selected from the plurality of barcode scanning algorithms loaded into the flash memory disposed on the processor die into the static memory.